Electric Vehicles and Battery Technologies, Functioning, Advantages

Context: The projected growth of the Indian Electric Vehicle (EV) market is dependent on advances in battery technology translating to better economics and enhanced user experience. However, despite advancements, current Li-ion batteries still have significant room for improvement.

Lithium Ion Batteries in Electric Vehicles (EVs)

Functioning

• It consists of two electrodes (anode & cathode) separated by a liquid electrolyte.
• Lithium atoms in the anode give up electrons which travel to the cathode through an external wire — this stream of electrons provides the current which powers the motor of the vehicle.
• Simultaneously, lithium ions (now positively charged from loss of an electron) travel through the electrolyte to reach the cathode.
• During charging, the process is reversed with lithium ions being forced to travel back through the electrolyte to the anode.

Advantages

• Lithium is the lightest element, readily releasing electrons.
• Enables lighter, smaller batteries with high energy storage.

Disadvantages

• Energy density is lower than petrol.
• Slow charging speeds compared to refuelling.
• High cost and limited lifespan.
• Environmental concerns about mining materials like lithium and cobalt.

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Improving Electric Vehicles Batteries: Approaches

Refining Lithium-Ion

• Focus on electrode materials:
  • Lightweight with high lithium storage capacity.
  • Efficient lithium pathways for faster charging and higher voltage.
  • Affordable, non-toxic, and readily available materials.
• Trade-offs exist:
  • Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) (Tesla): high energy density, longer range, less stable.
  • Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) : longer life, faster charging, less toxic, less range.

Solid-State Lithium Batteries (SSBs):

• Replaces liquid electrolyte with heat resistant lightweight solid electrolyte, improving stability and safety.
• Potential for EVs with longer range, higher energy density, faster charging, and wider temperature tolerance.
• Challenges: material cost, production scalability, dendrite growth.

Beyond Lithium:

• Explore alternative battery chemistries like sodium-ion, magnesium-ion, or lithium-sulphur.
• Potential for lower cost, wider resource availability, and higher energy density.
• Early stage development, challenges with performance and stability.

Improving Battery Management Systems (BMS)

• Enhance safety, lifespan, and charging speed through sensors, control circuitry, and algorithms.
• Monitors temperature, voltage, and current to optimise charging and prevent damage.
• Easier to implement than changing battery chemistry.

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